Huntingdon, TN - Participants, including Fire and Rescue personnel and farmers from across Carroll County, came together on March 7th for the common good of working together.

The class, titled “Grain Bin Recue Safety/Awareness”, was taught and presented by The Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads. During the classroom training the students were showed the components of grain handling systems, how grain entrapment occurs and also the dangers and the safety aspects of being around the bins during a rescue. During the “Hands On” demonstrations rescuers where showed how to walk on the grain and also use the “Turtle Tube” which is a grain rescue tube which the rescuers place around the trapped victim to keep the force of the grain from crushing the entrapped victim.

Jason Arnold, Battalion Chief of the Mckenzie Fire Department, said “The Grain Bin rescue class was very insightful to the dangers that farmers and first responders encounter in rural areas. In our area most people driving down the road do not think about a grain bin posing a hazard, but TARS and other sponsors brought to our attention this is serious and something we need to really think about. With all of us responding in our rural communities this is an emergency that we will encounter and be more prepared for in the future.”

The class was sponsored by TN Agribility, UT Extension Carroll County, Carroll County Fire Department, and Carroll County EMA.

Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads would like to thank Dale Dobson with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for his willingness to assist in the development in this program.